PhD Studentship Skin Cancer & Ageing 2027 – 19 octobre 2026

Contexte

The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute is inviting applications for its PhD opportunity in Skin Cancer and Ageing for the October 2027 intake. The research project, titled “Aged Immune Failure and Reversal,” offers an opportunity for aspiring scientists to investigate how ageing affects immune function and influences cancer progression, with a particular focus on melanoma and antitumour immunity. The studentship is based in Manchester, United Kingdom, within the Skin Cancer and Ageing research group.

About the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute: The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute is a leading cancer research centre within the University of Manchester. Supported by Cancer Research UK, the institute conducts research spanning the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cancer, translational science and the development of new therapeutic approaches. Its partnership with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust provides an environment that connects scientific research with clinical expertise and cancer treatment. Postgraduate students benefit from a supportive research setting, specialised scientific supervision and training designed to strengthen their research capabilities and future career prospects.

PhD Studentship Details: Project title: Aged Immune Failure and Reversal; Institution: Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester; Research group: Skin Cancer and Ageing; Location: Manchester, United Kingdom; Intake: October 2027; Principal supervisor: Professor Amaya Virós; Co-supervisor: Dr Jonathan Worboys; Application deadline: 6 November 2026, 5:00 PM GMT; Research focus: Ageing, lipid biology, immune function, melanoma and cancer immunosurveillance.

About the Research Project: The project will investigate how ageing changes the lipid composition of the body’s extracellular environment and how these changes affect the immune system’s ability to recognise and respond to cancer. Lipids are essential biological molecules that contribute to cellular structure, signalling and immune regulation. Their composition can influence how immune cells respond to external signals, including those involved in recognising and eliminating tumour cells. The research will examine how differences in lipid environments across organs affect cancer invasion, metastatic spread and immune responses. It will also investigate how ageing alters these environments and whether modifying lipid composition could help restore immune competence. The findings could contribute to a better understanding of why cancer outcomes and metastatic patterns differ with age, potentially informing the development of more personalised approaches to melanoma treatment.

Supervision and Research Environment: Professor Amaya Virós leads the Skin Cancer and Ageing research group and is an Honorary Consultant in Dermatology at Salford NHS Foundation Trust. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind melanoma progression and metastasis in ageing patients, with the goal of developing therapeutic approaches tailored to age and metastatic disease. Dr Jonathan Worboys, based at the Lydia Becker Institute at the University of Manchester, will provide co-supervision, particularly in relation to the project’s spatial research approaches. The Skin Cancer and Ageing group investigates how host-specific factors and the environments of different organs influence melanoma progression and treatment outcomes. Its wider research aims to identify vulnerabilities that could be targeted to reduce relapse and improve patient outcomes.

Missions et responsabilités

• Investigate how ageing influences systemic and organ-specific lipid environments and the consequences for immune function.
• Map changes in lipid composition across tissues using lipidomics, lipoprotein fractionation and spatial research techniques, including super-resolution microscopy.
• Focus particularly on lipid species and classes that influence T-cell activation and the quality of immune responses.
• Explore how aged lipid environments affect innate and adaptive immunity more broadly.
• Use in vivo approaches to modify lipid composition and investigate whether immune competence and antitumour responses can be restored.
• Help establish connections between ageing, lipid biology, immune dysfunction and tumour immunosurveillance.

Profil recherché

• Hold, or expect to graduate with, a First-Class or minimum Upper Second-Class undergraduate honours degree, or an equivalent qualification from a non-UK university, in a relevant subject.
• Demonstrate a strong academic record.
• Possess Master’s-level study and/or other laboratory research experience in cancer (advantageous, although laboratory research experience is not a conditional requirement).
• Demonstrate an interest in cancer biology, immunology, ageing, lipid research or related scientific disciplines.
• Applicants with international qualifications must ensure their academic credentials meet the institute’s equivalency requirements.

Conditions et avantages

• Supportive research setting at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute within the University of Manchester.
• Specialised scientific supervision by Professor Amaya Virós and Dr Jonathan Worboys.
• Training designed to strengthen research capabilities and future career prospects.
• Environment connecting scientific research with clinical expertise through the partnership with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

Dossier de candidature

• Online application completed through the official PhD Student Recruitment portal.
• Equality, diversity and inclusion monitoring form (kept separate from the selection process).
• Academic credentials and undergraduate honours degree documentation meeting institute standards.

Comment postuler

Interested candidates must complete the online application through the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute’s official PhD Student Recruitment portal. Applicants should review the project information and application requirements carefully before submitting their details. An equality, diversity and inclusion monitoring form is also required as part of the process. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM GMT on 6 November 2026. Applicants should locate the “Aged Immune Failure and Reversal” PhD opportunity on the official Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute website and follow the official application instructions to apply.